A tizzy is not needed in Concord

Republicans should take no offense at Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan establishing her own revenue estimating panel.

Frankly, it is not a bad idea unless ... as House Republican Leader Gene Chandler, R-Bartlett, noted, it is historically the Legislature's responsibility.

“We appreciate the governor's initiative in creating this panel, but estimating revenue has traditionally been the purview of the Legislature. We will not cede our legislative responsibility to develop reasonable and sound revenue estimates.”

Although, we must add that Gov. Lynch regularly ran his own set of numbers to which Republicans objected.

The but and unless of Hassan establishing what is being called a consensus revenue estimating panel is whether it further divides budget negotiations or serves as a peace maker.

As it stands, the House and Senate are free to interpret revenue numbers as they please and often disagree to a greater or less degree. Then, as noted above, in steps the governor to agree, challenge or play the role of Solomon.

We suspect that one of the motivations driving Gov. Hassan's decision to form the panel is to offer more convincing clout when she winds up disagreeing with legislatively generated budgets by either the Democrats or Republicans (the latter being more likely).

Regardless the driving force, we see no reason yet for a political tizzy in Concord. But ask us again if the budget process gets deadlocked at the eleventh hour and we may see things differently (a hint for Gov. Hassan).

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